Ayra Maysaa

Thursday, January 21, 2010

She used to be one of the world's famous face, and yet no one knows her. Her photo has been captured randomly but created a stir when her picture was selected as the cover of National Geographic 100 best pictures. She had no idea her face had become an icon after her photo became the cover in 1985, although her info, remained anonymous.

17 years later, the National Geographic team, returned to the refugee place in Pakistan in pursuit for her. Several contacts had led them to her brother. The photographer, McCurry could easily tell that they had found the right family the moment he saw the color of her brother's eyes. To confirm that she is Sharbat Gula, the EXPLORER team verified her through iris-scanning technology and face-recognition techniques used by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Since she was only photographed once in her lifetime, she remembered the moment vividly, and what interesting is, she only got to see the product 17 years later. McCurry told her that she has become famous because of the photo but she did not seem to be interested in her fame.

Sharbat Gula's photo had captivated so many people for one reason, undoubtedly, the piercing gaze of her sea-green eyes, as they put it.

And what a nice name she has-Sharbat Gula which means "Rose Sherbet" or Air Mawar kan? huhu pardon my rusty arabic...

The famous photo of her was taken at the age of 12

On the other note, I personally fall for her eye color too, her face represents effortless beauty and strength. I admire the striking and intense color of her photo- brick red shawl with her aqua marine eyes!

I admit I am inspired so I tried to play with the contact lenses to get her color, but you just cannot beat the gene right? Mmmm....